I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

Stitch Fun: Daisy Stitch in Two Colors, Take Two

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Yesterday, we looked at one method of working daisy stitch in two colors, with petals in one color and anchor stitches at the tip of the petals in a different color. Today, let’s look at a different method of achieving the same result – and a much easier method, to boot!

To ensure that this attempt came out at least a bit even on the first go, I used a circle template and marked on the fabric 8 equal points around the circle. You don’t have to do this…. and in fact, a flower stitched with detached chain stitch (daisy stitch) can have any number of petals, equally spaced or not. It’s up to you, and the look you want.

But I wanted to work out something that was relatively neat and even for this little tutorial, so I put the marks on the fabric, using a pencil.

I used the same materials that I used in yesterday’s demonstration – 4 strands of stranded cotton floss, in pink and in green for contrast, threaded into a size 7 crewel (embroidery) needle. I threaded the green floss first, and brought my needle up at one of the small dots.

I took my needle down a short distance from where I emerged, to make a small straight stitch. At this point, you do want a stitch – this isn’t just a tiny stab stitch. You want the stitch large enough to be able to pass your needle underneath it easily, plus you want the stitch to be visible, in order for this technique to be effective.

I worked the small stitches all the way around the circle, coming up into the dots I’d drawn and taking the needle down to the outside of the circle, a stitch length away.

Time to thread up the second color (pink). Bring the thread up in the center, just off to the side of the center (not right smack-dab in the center).

Take the needle underneath the small stitch opposite where you came up.

Then take the needle back down into the fabric in the same hole that it came up in. Move to the opposite side of this stitch to work the next stitch, again coming up just to other the side of the center point.

Again, slide the needle underneath the small stitch, making sure you don’t pick up any fabric or split the stitch.

Continue doing this around the whole circle, always coming up just to the side of the center point (not directly in the center).

The reason I’m not going down and coming up in the direct center of the flower is an obvious one: if you end up coming up and down in the same hole, the previous stitch is going to be unstitched! So that space in the center of the flower is necessary.

The final stitch goes in.

This technique is Much Easier than the techique shown yesterday! The main reason for its ease is the fact that you aren’t required to work both threads at the same time, so you don’t have to keep checking the back of your work to avoid tangling the two working threads.

So there you have it! Two methods of working daisy stitch in two colors! If you decide to use the technique for your stitching, you can do it whichever way is easiest for you.

What think you? Cute, isn’t it? Any particular suggestions for use? Or other suggestions or questions regarding method of stitching? Feel free to leave a comment!

If you’d like to see similar tutorials, check out my Stitch Fun index, where I explore different variations on stitches, just for the fun of it!

(88) Comments

Gorgeous!! Isn’t it funny though – my embroidery brain is telling me that method one would be the easier option! I would worry about accidentally splitting stitches in the second option, and the situation with the centre hole would also worry me… I guess at the end of the day you have to do what you’re comfortable with when choosing a method.

Thanks for the two versions on the stitch. Yes definitely the second version is easier what a lovely flower, I’m thinking maybe I could use this on a birthday card for my niece. What a good idea to use a circle template makes it nice and even when stitching.

G’day Mary,
Simply very lovely,
cunning,
neat,
teasey easy peasy as in tantalizingly simple,
“kiel” – 2yr old granddaughter’s ‘cool’. Going out there tomorrow and am going to have her help me make a polar fleece poncho for herself and a doll or teddy. Was wondering what embroidery to do on it that she could follow what was happening. Simple but effective. This is it.
Great stuff, Cheers, Kath.

I have to agree Mary, this second way is not only mush easier when it comes to handling both colours of thread, but it makes it easier to get the petals an even size too! WHOOO HOOOO .. Can’t wait to try this!!
Cheers,
Wendy 🙂

Would you believe me if I said that when I entered the kitchen this morning to make breakfast, all I thought about was what your second method might be? Its true. And goodness, what an idea!
Can’t wait to put thread to canvas.

Thanks for the two tutorials and the second one is really much easier.
At a Schwalm class I had learnt to do chain sts. starting with a single straight st. and looping the chain through it and the next chain looped through the first one and so on and since then have only used this method as it is much simpler and the chains come out very even.

Ahhh, yes! Very Nice. This is actually the method I prefer for the chain stitch, too (it is sort of backwards – placing the “tack” and then running the loop through it. We must keep our brains flexible!!! Thanks, Mary.

Hi Mary,
You surprised me with your second, easier method for the two-color lazy daisy stitch. I expected you to do the stitch in the usual manner with one color and then go over the securing stitch with the second color.It’s good to have lots of options! Thanks for always supplying us with choices.

Lovely to see each daisy appear step by step, no I had’nt worked out how to do the second option.
I think the two colours gives it real life and class and I will be adding it to my next piece of work. More please!
I love Dorset Feather Stitchery and Wessex embroidery but find the instructions for the latter hard to follow.

Mary,
I love how clear and easy this approach seems. However, I am always confused as to how one handles the “knot” on the backside. How do you start and end the stitch on the back? If moving to another area, is the thread woven through the lazy daisy on the back and then cut? or is there another way? Starting and ending stitches always leave me with questions. thanks for any ideas.
Peg

Hi Mary,
I’ve couldn’t wait to see your second technique! How much easier it is! Plus it looks great and as you say, no worries about continually checking the back of the work for split, knotted, garbled threads!
Thank you!

Oh, Mary, these two Lasy Daisy posts are so charming! Even though I generally don’t like pink, that pink and green is so bright, cheerful and summery!!! And so simple really, but my brain did a “blank” when I first looked at it too, and said “HOW … ” Thanks for turning on the “light bulb” and clear instructions.

Now I’m thinking of a third option … overdyed silk thread from Vikki Clayton, in a pretty flower color, that has small sections of greens in it, and wondering if I can stitch those green tips with the green thread, then get to the roses and burgundy colors for the petals, and get a patch of these daisies with color shading in … and then there’s the lovely piece of darker toasty colored linen I found in my mother’s box of fabrics that’s been crying out for SOMETHING … a nice big hank of Vikki’s silk in a gently shaded white/ivory/palest cream coloration to make summer white daisies with green tips, yellow centers and green foliage …

THANK YOU for the extra inspiration this morning; after a cortisone shot in my thumb yesterday, and the prospect of more tests in August and possible hand surgery looming, it was very welcome. And somehow my hand doesn’t hurt so much this morning, thanks to you !

Brilliant! I wondered, and wondered, and didn’t even go anywhere close to this. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the hardest one to arrive at. Plus, I love how neat and perfect this makes a daisy stitch. You’re a great teacher, Mary.

I picked up that ruler at an art store years ago. I think you can find them through Blick’s Art Materials – but really, any circle template will do. Office supply & hobby / craft stores carry circle templates in the art & drafting supplies area…

Hi, Marny – better to think of them as straight stitches, I think, instead of dots. No, they aren’t individual – I carried the threads all the way around. So on the back it looks like a widely spaced stem stitch in a green circle, with the a small blob of pink stitches in the middle where the daisy petals meet. I’m afraid I didn’t take a photo of the back, but next time, I’ll try to remember to do that! ~MC

Thank you for your wonderful instructions on how to do a two color daisy. I just love your sight. I have taken up hand embroidery again,even though I do have a sewing machine that can embroider. Working with my hands always gives me something I can be proud of.

I am so glad I found your website. I am doing lazy daisy for the first time today. These tutorials are so well done. I learn so much better by watching someone and this website ranks right up there with being with a friend to learn from. Even though I’ve never met you, I can tell you are a great teacher. Thank you for the time and effort in creating this website and sharing your knowledge.

Every morning while drinking my coffee I can’t wait to see what new stitches you are showing. Wow!! is such simple word, but that’s how I feel ever time I read your techniques of the day. Today’s was beautiful and I like the second one and feel more comfortable working with one thread at a time. I am so happy I found your site because when I am not sure about a stitch I have you to show me.
I told the ladies in our sewing group about your site they were excited to know about it.
Thanks for sharing,
Dee

Thank you for your amazingly easy to follow instructions. Your site is also easy to follow. I am just a beginner but I have been getting compliments for my pillows that I have been making for family and friends and I always tell them that I have been learning from you. Again, thank you.

Mary, this is just wonderful! I have been reviewing some old posts and I just think you are amazing and your work is fan-tab-ulous! With your Stitch Index I am inspired to try a sampler or two. Thank you!

I love this one! In fact I love you whole website!
I learnt to embroider a little in my childhood , but beyond loving the beauty of hand embroideries, didn’t have occasion to pursue it myself. Now after a long long gap I’m doing a bit of it again, mainly to adorn dresses; and discovering your posts is like finding a treasure chest!
Thank you!!

Hi, Sherrie – I got it in the art section at Hobby Lobby, I think. I prefer the circle template that is a sheet (plastic, usually green) with all kinds of circle sizes on it. They also have those in the art sections of hobby stores, or, if you’re lucky enough to have an AC Moore or Blick’s art supplies locally, you’ll find them there, too.

Just a quick note to say I’ve been working through these daisy stitches designing variations like adding the petals from an inner circle to the outer one and filling the inner with French knots using 6 strand DMC thread. I’ve been playing with colours, etc. It was fun. And then I made a change that brought a smile to my face and I couldn’t stop. I used some DMC cotton a broder for the French knots. OMG. Up until now, I’ve been “Saving” all my good threads and linen “for when I’m more skilled” and one of my New Years resolutions was get over that. I’m still working on cotton right now because I am working on my “doodle” piece. But I now have another resolution: stock up on other threads!